TLT was hired in 2004 to build a new high school for the town of Reading. During an EPA inspector's visit to the site in April of 2007, the inspector observed "failed construction, storm water erosion and sediment controls, and debris in the Aberjona River," according to an EPA release. The determination of the EPA was that TLT was discharging storm water from the site into adjacent waters of the US, without proper authorization.

According to the release, the EPA found a series of violations, including a failure to update the corporation's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, document construction site erosion and sediment control inspections or maintain records. TLT did not apply for coverage under the EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Construction Activities. The Aberjona river flows into the Mystic lakes to the Mystic River and eventually deposits into Boston Harbor.

The Clean Water Act was enacted by the federal government in 1972 to prevent pollution of the bodies of water in and around the US. The CWA was amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987 to include NPDES permits to be required for storm water runoff.